Warriors for Warriors Marathon

Operation Enduring Freedom.

Our soldiers are fighting for our freedom. They have seen their brothers fallen on the battlefield, they have heard their cries of pain, terror, and loss over the radio, and they have felt levels of pain and emotion we may never quite understand or experience. We owe them our support.

Below are two websites where you can show your support for our brave men and women fighting for our freedoms in Afghanistan. Remember the reason they are deployed to Afghanistan in the first place: September 11. Remember where you were, and at what moment your heart stopped for a second, or perhaps plummeted to your very core when you embraced the reality of the most vicious attacks on American soil and the perished lives of over 3,000 innocent people of every race, age, religion, and ethnicity. Remember the anger, fury, and fear that radiated across our nation. Remember, too, how quickly our flag presented itself everywhere - in homes, stores, on rooftops, cars, and buildings - all for the purpose of coming together as a nation.

This initiative emerged with warriors raising funds for fellow warriors, initially beginning on board the USS Roosevelt, which is now on its return home from Afghanistan after 6 long, hard months abroad. Servicemen supporting their own is a wonderful tradition where common ground is shared, respected, and understood, but support should not stop there. We can not and should not isolate the citizens in showing support for OUR servicemen as well, including our strongest ally, Great Britain.

Below is an email written by one of our "own," seeking support for the cause. Lt. Mhley has kept me abreast of his efforts along the way, and this email describes his initiative in a personal, authentic manner.

Family and friends, During the 5 months that our carrier and air wing have been supporting our troops in Afghanistan, we've been through the most difficult of situations with mainly British and American soldiers. We've helped them when under attack from Taliban, we've heard the cries of their wounded over the radio, we've mourned when an attack killed one of their brothers. During our time on station, 105 Coalition lives were lost, including 51 American and 29 British. As a tribute to the fallen, a few of the aviators out here are hosting a fundraising relay-marathon on the carrier's flight deck this Saturday to raise a worthy donation for the US Wounded Warrior Project and British Help for Heroes organization. We intend to present both donations in person on our way home. Many of you ask what you can do to help me endure these 7 months. Well, I'd rather you donate a few dollars to this event than send another box of chubby Oreos. We've raised about $2500 from the 200+ runners signed up so far. Many more to go in coming days. If anyone you know back home wants to donate, please reply and I will happily pass my bank routing number / checking account number to allow a donation via funds transfer. Below is the email we sent to our squadron about the effort, as well an info sheet. Thanks so much for your consideration. Looking forward to being back home next month! Very Respectfully, LCDR Mark Mhley VFA-213 / USS Roosevelt

Please scroll down below to donate just a few dollars to the cause. There are two different websites available. Each fund, one for the British forces, the other for US forces, goes towards recovery for injured soldiers, as well as those who have fallen at the arms of their fellow brothers. The money provides support for individuals and their families in literally every way necessary. Show your patriotism, show your support. Donate a few dollars to those risking their lives for our country.

Thank you.

US Wounded Warrior Project

UK Help for Heroes